Frankie Valli Charts on Billboard 200!
October 19th, 2007On the Billboard 200 this week, Frankie Valli’s new album, “Romancing the ’60s” (Universal Motown) debuts at No. 177!
It is Valli’s first appearance on this tally in 29 years and his eighth solo album to chart. Valli was last on the album survey with “Frankie Valli…Is the Word” in 1978. His first solo album to chart was “Frankie Valli-Solo” in 1967. That album contained his hit single, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Just counting his solo work, Valli’s album chart span expands to 40 years, three months and one week.
The first chart album by the Four Seasons, “Sherry and 11 Others,” debuted exactly 45 years ago, on the chart dated Oct. 27, 1962. This week’s album chart is dated Oct. 27, 2007.
But you can trace Valli’s Billboard chart career even further back. He made his first appearance on a Billboard chart the week of May 26, 1956, with the single “You’re the Apple of My Eye” by the Four Lovers. As any “Jersey Boys” fan knows, the Four Lovers became the Four Seasons. And for any “Jersey Boys” fans reading this item, the Broadway cast album on Rhino is No. 1 on Top Cast Albums for the ninth non-consecutive week.
Read more of Fred Bronson’s commentary on Valli and Jersey Boys on Billboard.com.
I know that if Frankie hits the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, he’d be the ONLY artist to be on the chart in all six decades of its existence. Does anyone know if that’s true of the album/CD charts as well? Congratulations, Frankie!
Comment by Howard Tucker — October 19, 2007 @ 11:50 am
I don’t think the Four Lovers hit the Album Charts.
I heard part of Frankie Valli’s version of “My Girl” on ET last night, and so far, it is my favorite for single release.
Comment by Ted Hammond — October 19, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
GO FRANKIE! GLAD YOU BROKE INTO THE CHARTS AGAIN, YOUR A TRUE LEGEND AND A ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER AND FROM MY CITY NEWARK YOU MADE US PROUD AGAIN! OH WHAT A NIGHT!
Comment by james petrecca — October 19, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
I remember in 1994-1995 when Fred Bronson covered the chart performance of the second run of “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night). Although it was a remix, it was the first single to EVER spend one year (One Year=Four Seasons!) on the Hot 100 charts, ending up with a total of 54 weeks (27+27) before being relegated to the recurrents chart. That’s the 1990s single that peaked at #14, though I think it reached #9 in Airplay. It is difficult to compare the chart performance of records since that 90s era, as so few records chart, and when the are so old, they are relegated to the recurrents even though they may have enough sales and/or airplay to continue on the Hot 100. But if I am not mistaken, CD cuts are now and quite recently eligible for Hot 100 entry, so that is probably more likely than a single release making it to the Hot 100 this decade.
Comment by Ted Hammond — October 20, 2007 @ 8:25 pm
You’re right, Ted. The Four Lovers didn’t hit the album charts. Besides, although Frankie or a 4 Seasons single charted in every decade since the BB charts were released (except the 2000′s so far), their albums didn’t chart in three decades. Thanks to Joel Whitburn for the info. Ted, I hope you’re going tomorrow; would love to meet you.
Comment by Howard Tucker — October 20, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
Thanks for the invitation, Howard. I wish I could be there. Hopefully, we will see a Frankie Valli and/ or Four Seasons entry on the Hot 100 for the 2000s, extending the record decades streak.
I just found this on the “Billboard Hot 100″ entry on Wikipedia.
“A song that does not have a retail component is allowed to enter the Hot 100 provided it ranks above position 75 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.”
Apparently, record labels were playing games with single releases to get on the Hot 100, so they finally changed the policy. Album/CD cuts are indeed eleigible now for Hot 100 chart inclusion.
Comment by Ted Hammond — October 21, 2007 @ 2:35 pm